07.28.08
perspectives on library 2.0
As I learn about applying “new Web 2.0 technologies to the library setting,” as they talk about in instructionwiki.org, I find that Library 2.0 could be an exciting way to bring some of these tools into any library setting, though in the elementary school library it might be more limited. To read about how Library 2.0 technologies would encourage students as library users to be more interactive with the services in the library is a new concept but one that gets me thinking about change that is appropriate and important. I really like the idea that more interactivity, or “interoperability,” in the library OPAC could be one way that this change could happen, even for our youngest students. Jessamyn West on her awesome site librarian.net talks about “what we want” in the library. She includes points about what patrons want in an OPAC. In my case, the patrons are the elementary school students of course. The idea that new OPAC services could add tools like help for students when they make spelling errors in their search terms, in the same way Google does, would be an example of how a new service would reflect the needs of our students.
With the tools that Web 2.0 offers the services that libraries can offer patrons can only broaden the possibilities for information access. I agreed with librarians who see how these services and the idea of user feedback and participation have been a part of library services for a long time. It seems that now that we add in technology and the new services that come with Web 2.0 the library can be more flexible and creative in how to meet patrons needs in all areas. I have only touched on some of these new ideas and so I look forward to exploring more of this Library 2.0 world.
technorati – #15
Web 2.0 applications like Technorati are interesting sources for all kinds of information. The articles and blogs are current and easily searchable. The news on one of the days I visited the site was the start of the new search engine called Cuil (pronounced “cool.”) I read some articles and blogs that had mixed reactions to this new search engine, many not sure how successful it will be in the shadow of Google. In the Photos section of Technorati, there was a thumbnail of Cuil and this linked back to the articles. The site in general has a helpful toolbar at the top and some topics have a dropdown menu. The Sports button on the toolbar had a link for articles and blogs about the Beijing Olympics which was nice. You can also sort your results by articles, blogs or both, and also by attention and freshness. The tags, or folksonomy, helped me think about what topics the article or blog would connect to and it actually helped me clarify my understanding. All in all, Technorati would be a great source for news and posts for my personal and professional interests, but maybe not that much for my students in the library.
07.23.08
VT 23 things – #22
We have talked about using podcating in our school to do things like have a small group create a “morning announcement” podcast to show in-house each morning. It would also be great to have students do book reviews or even to give their impressions of a class field trip when they’ve returned. All kinds of sharing! The link to the Worthington Libraries had a great list of free podcasting software that will be really helpful to us. I hope we can get this podcasting idea started this year!
vermont 23 things – #21
I explored YouTube and a couple of other video sharing sites and I was a bit overwhelmed by all that there is to find there. Even so, I found the links to library-related stuff to be great. This Librarian 2.0 was a cool video in verse. The video created by the librarian and students in Johnson Elementary School here in VT was a really cute example of how I could think about using video sharing with our students, too. What a great way to have students plan, write, use video and performance and teach others about the library!
